Updated October 8, 2025. On the eve of the autumn weekend on the slopes of Zelina Gora, the local community, hikers, families, and nature lovers are preparing for another edition of the Zelina celebration of chestnuts and sustainable tourism. At the top of Kladeščica, just a few minutes' drive above Sveti Ivan Zelina, on October 18 and 19, you can expect the 27th Zelina Chestnut Festival - an event that for years has been a synonym for forest scents, healthy movement, good music, and culinary delights, as well as for responsible behavior towards nature.
A weekend that connects the forest, the community, and sustainable tourism
Over the years, the Chestnut Festival has grown into an exemplary model of how a traditional fruit - the chestnut - can be transformed into a platform for education, local entrepreneurship, and active leisure. This October, the event gains additional importance: it has been included among the Top 100 Stories of the Green Destinations initiative for 2025, a global list of destinations that promote sustainable practices in tourism. The recognition was confirmed at an international conference held in late September in Montpellier, and with it, the community's efforts have been recognized and included among the most inspiring stories in the world.
The role of Kladeščica is special in this regard. This viewpoint at 463 meters above sea level offers a panorama of the Prigorje hills and the picturesque villages around Sveti Ivan Zelina. When the forest paths rustle under your feet and the air smells of roasted chestnuts, it's easy to understand why an autumn trip to Kladeščica is a magnet for visitors every year.
Saturday, October 18: "Don't be a loghead" - hiking, fitness, and eco-action
The first day of the weekend is dedicated to movement and healthy habits. Saturday morning is marked by a hike to the top of Kladeščica - the gathering is at the "Žlebica 1" Water Supply facility, followed by an itinerary of approximately 6–7 kilometers through a protected mosaic of chestnut and beech forests. The route is adapted for recreational hikers: sections of moderate ascent alternate with flatter forest paths, making it suitable for families with children. With the "Izvor" Mountaineering Society and instructor Mario Valentić, participants will also do a body&mind workout and breathe&flow exercises along the way - simple but effective techniques that raise energy and raise awareness of posture, breathing, and the rhythm of steps.
This year's edition of the hiking tour is also extended to a concrete ecological action: participants will work with the organizers to remove waste found along the trail, reminding them that hiking and environmental preservation go hand in hand. Everyone who signs up via the online form on the official tourism board website will secure a place in the group, as well as a coupon for a free outdoor lunch and a refreshing "Zelina chestnut smoothie by Mario Valentić". The idea is to combine local fruit, practical education, and sport - so that the outing has a long-lasting effect on visitors' habits and on the environment.
For those who love numbers: according to the approximate plan, the total walking time is about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the group's pace and the number of breaks. The first 200 visitors who arrive at the Chestnut Festival on foot will be rewarded with a scoop of fresh, fragrant chestnuts - a symbolic but nice incentive to leave the car at home and choose "healthy kilometers".
Sunday, October 19: Zelina "green party" with the taste of chestnuts
The second day of the event transforms Kladeščica into a true gourmet and music center. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the scent of roasted chestnuts and various autumn-inspired dishes will spread across the forest plateau, and they will be paired with craft beers and Zelina wines from local winemakers. The gastronomic part will be further enriched by members of the "Amanita" association, who are preparing a mushroom exhibition - an opportunity to learn to distinguish species without rushing, find out something about their habitats and their role in forest ecosystems. The music program is responsible for the rhythm of the day; it is a surprise, but previous editions have shown that there is always a good reason for dance moves - both the autumn ones and the musical ones.
An additional dose of adrenaline and a good atmosphere will be brought by members of the Moto and off-road club Sv. Ivan Zelina, whose sound of engines and smell of roasted chestnuts will often signal that you are close to the main event. In the Hunting Lodge, a competition for cooking hunter's stew is being held in parallel, led by the "Srndać" Hunting Society. The organizers provide ingredients and wood, and after the best are announced at 2 p.m., visitors will be able to taste the hunter's goulash - a rustic dish that smells of an autumn forest from the very beginning. In addition, the hunters are preparing a short education on the fauna of this region, with an emphasis on sustainable management and the coexistence of humans and wildlife.
Through the forest to Zelingrad: the trail as an open-air classroom
The well-maintained educational eco-trail "Through Zelinska Gora" also leads to Kladeščica. It starts from Biškupec, passes by the medieval fortress of Zelingrad and climbs to 463 meters above sea level to the viewpoint at the top. Along the way, you will come across informative wooden boards - discreet classrooms that explain the characteristics of the local ecosystem, introduce you to plant and animal species, and draw attention to endangered and protected organisms. It is this combination of a gentle walk and the interpretation of nature that makes the trail perfect for families and school groups.
Zelingrad, whose ruins watch over the forest paths, is one of the most interesting historical landmarks of this area. The fortress, dating from the late Middle Ages, was a strategically important point on the eastern slopes of Medvednica, and today it is a protected cultural monument. A visit to the small archaeological reading room in nature further enhances the experience of the route - because a walk past the stone walls that have witnessed life in the valleys and hills around Sveti Ivan Zelina for centuries always leaves the impression of a meeting with time.
Why walk? Health, community, and concrete results
For years, organizers have been encouraging "eco-arrival" - walking instead of driving - because that's how the Chestnut Festival grows from a recreational outing into a project with real benefits: fewer emissions, less noise, more space for socializing and learning in nature. This year, this is also supported by the Zero Waste approach, which clearly abandons single-use plastic. Visitors are invited to bring their own glasses, containers, and water bottles; with simple habits, we create less waste and send a strong message about caring for the forest that welcomes us as guests.
Good practice is also reflected in gastronomy. The HealthyFIT program brings practical ideas on how to use local fruits, and the chestnut - a natural source of fiber and complex carbohydrates - fits perfectly into the story of satiety without the feeling of heaviness. Mario Valentić, a trainer and popular promoter of healthy habits, has previously shared his recipes for green smoothies and morning rituals that restore energy, so it's no wonder that the "Zelina chestnut smoothie" has become a trademark of this year's Saturday program.
"Games without screens": two hours for children's imagination and skills
The "Games without screens" program will show that the forest is not just a backdrop but also a playground. From noon to 2 p.m., children will try jumbo Jenga, XXL tic-tac-toe, Mölkky, ring toss, tug-of-war, and relay challenges. These activities, although simple, encourage coordination, team spirit, and quick adaptation - skills that are just as important for children as school subjects. For parents, the program offers an opportunity to take a break and share moments in an environment that encourages conversation, laughter, and movement.
Practical: how to get there, where to meet, and what to bring
Departures and gatherings are organized at the "Žlebica 1" Water Supply facility in Biškupec. Comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing, a water bottle, and light snacks in reusable containers are recommended. If you are hiking for the first time, know that the trail is categorized as easy to moderate, and for the average hiker, the journey to the top takes about an hour and a half.
Traffic and regulation: for those who still come by car, a two-way regulation is planned - arrival towards Kladeščica and a separate return direction to avoid traffic jams. Despite this, the organizers encourage you to make the most of public transport and carpooling options, or even better - to leave the car and choose hiking boots.
Online registrations: online registration is required for the Saturday HealthyFIT program and the eco-action for cleaning the environment. Up-to-date instructions and forms are available on the official tourism board website, as well as a detailed calendar of events for the 27th Zelina Chestnut Festival.
Forest etiquette: a small reminder for big results
- Leave no trace: carry your waste to the nearest sorting bin or to the eco-action checkpoint.
- Respect the trail: stick to the marked paths and educational boards; do not needlessly pick plants and mushrooms.
- Friends of the forest: keep pets on a leash; caring for nature starts with caring for safety.
- Your equipment, your responsibility: bring your own glasses and bottles; Zero Waste is not just a label, but a habit.
Program at a glance for October 18 and 19
Saturday, October 18, 2025
10:00 a.m. – "Don't be a loghead" hiking tour with PD "Izvor" and Mario Valentić, body&mind + breathe&flow, eco-action for cleaning the environment; free lunch and "Zelina chestnut smoothie" for registered participants. *
Sunday, October 19, 2025
11:00 a.m. – organized departure on the hiking trail towards the top; gathering at "Žlebica 1".
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. – Zelina Chestnut Festival at the top: roasted chestnuts, autumn delicacies, craft beers, Zelina wines, mushroom exhibition, and music program.
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. – "Games without screens" for children outdoors.
From 10:00 a.m. – free chestnuts for the first 200 visitors who arrive on foot. *
*Note: some activities require prior online registration via the organizer's official website. The on-site schedule may be subject to minor time changes depending on weather conditions and operational circumstances.
What you'll take home: flavors, habits, and ideas
In addition to photos from the viewpoint and a scoop of warm chestnuts, you will most likely return from the forest with some new habits. Maybe with an idea of how to put together a healthy breakfast in a blender, maybe with a plan to walk to work or school more often, maybe with an agreement to return to Zelinska gora with friends as soon as the first snow falls. Autumn in Sveti Ivan Zelina is always a good reminder that the quality of life is hidden in small things: in the scent of the forest after the rain, in the sound of leaves under your feet, in the first warmth of a roasted chestnut in your hand.
Useful links and contact
Where to stay in Sveti Ivan Zelina
Planning to stay overnight? Check out accommodation options in Sveti Ivan Zelina and the surrounding area. For those who want to be closer to the starting point of the Saturday walk, consider properties in the villages around Biškupec and along the access roads to Kladeščica. If you love a historical atmosphere, look for households in the villages at the foot of Zelingrad; for weekend trips with children, quieter accommodations on the edge of Zelinska gora are often sought, with a yard and the option of late check-in after the walk.
Quick links to accommodation (click and save)
Frequently asked questions
Is the trail demanding? No; it's an easy to moderate section suitable for most recreational hikers. It is recommended that children are accompanied by adults and that everyone wears adequate footwear.
Can I bring my own packaging? Not only can you - it is also desirable. The event promotes a Zero Waste approach and the abandonment of single-use plastic.
What if I don't arrive on foot? Special traffic regulation is provided for arrival and return, but the organizers encourage you to choose walking whenever possible.
Where can I follow program changes? The official tourism board website regularly publishes announcements and schedules. We recommend that you check for the latest information before you leave.
Creation time: 08 October, 2025